The signet ring, specifically known as the Fisherman’s ring, belonged to Pope Francis who died on April 21. It is now set to be destroyed following his passing.

The Fisherman’s ring is gifted to the Pope upon election and taken away after his death. The ring will be destroyed with a special hammer to prevent it from being misused. The ring’s initial purpose was to seal the Pope’s private letters, but its modern purpose is mostly ceremonial.

The destruction of the ring is meant to mark the end of an era and to represent a transmission of papal power, which leads to new beginnings.